Our Mission
To
improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth
by providing services and leadership in partnership with families,
schools and communities.
Our Goals
• Increase learning growth for students
• Decrease the gap in achievement
• Increase annual graduation rates
• Increase gateways to post-secondary success
Last week members of the Council on Educator Development released their final report of recommendations for Iowa teacher and school administrator evaluations. The recommendations focus on improving the current system with a model that allows for more growth and meaningful feedback, multiple measures that include student outcomes and more differentiation among educators based on their unique roles.
The final report was developed over three years by the council, which was established as part of House File 215, a comprehensive education reform package adopted by Iowa legislators and signed by Gov. Branstad in 2013. The report will be sent to the Governor, Legislature and the State Board of Education for consideration.
“There was high interest from everyone involved in the Council on Educator Development that any new system would serve as a catalyst for professional growth,” said Great Prairie AEA chief administrator Jon Sheldahl, who chaired the council. “We ended up with a recommendation for a very balanced and comprehensive system that meets the needs of all educators.”
The council’s recommendations for improving the current system include:
- Shifting from a “meets/does not meet” rating system to a more refined learning progression system that is aligned to Iowa’s standards for teachers and school leaders and allows for growth and feedback along a continuum of rating levels. Learning progressions describe the increasing complexity of educator practice for each teaching and leadership standard.
- Differentiating training of evaluators based on the type of educator being evaluated, as well as the experience level of the evaluator.
- Aligning the frequency of administrator evaluations with that of teacher evaluations through the use of individual professional development plans and a comprehensive three-year review.
The council also recommended strategies for better implementation of the current system, including the use of:
- Collaborative and reflective practices that include constructive feedback.
- Multiple measures of performance, including but not limited to, an array of indicators of student learning outcomes.
- A balanced evaluation system that includes annual accountability in the form of the Individual Professional Development Plan and a comprehensive three-year review for all teachers.
- The Iowa Teaching Standards and Iowa Standards for School Leaders.
The council reviewed evaluation systems nationwide and examined how educators were teaching content, managing the classroom, monitoring student progress and creating a safe and supportive environment. The council visited with national experts and listened to Iowa teachers and administrators about their current evaluation practices. In addition, the council examined the role of professional development and concluded it should not be a one-size-fit-all approach but crafted to individual teacher and administrator needs.
The council sought input on draft recommendations more than a year ago through a survey of Iowa teachers, administrators and school board members that produced responses from about 1,000 people.
“I’m very grateful to the Iowans on this council who gave careful consideration to an issue that impacts educators and school leaders across the state,” Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise said. “Iowa is working hard to support teaching and improve student achievement, and the solid recommendations approved by the Council on Educator Development reinforce that effort.”
To read the full report, visit the Iowa Department of Education’s website.
The Nov. 2016 issue of the School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education is now available.
The Nov. 2016 issue of the Quarterly News from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners is now available.
Website: heartlandaea.lifeworks.com
Username: heartlandaea
Password: lifeworks
There are lots of helpful and interesting topics and information under the Family tab. Check them out today!
Included are the following topics: Adoption, Becoming a Parent, Couples, Death/Loss, Divorce/Separation, Education, Older Relatives and Parenting.
We’ve had a great response to this year’s Wellness program! Congratulations to all of you who have committed to bring more wellness into your life!
Rewards
Don’t forget that staff new this year who complete the requirements of the program will receive a Fitbit and $100! And current staff who complete the program will receive $200! We also have great rewards for all the challenges we are holding throughout the year as well as an agency logo polo shirt for participating in the required number of challenges. It literally pays to be well!!
Biometric Screenings
More information on each challenge will be in The Connection. We would like to remind you that you can still sign up for onsite biometrics if this works for you. You can sign up for this under biometrics tab on the Healthy Express site. If you can't make it to one of the onsite screenings, you can either make an appointment with your local Hy-Vee dietician, or you can visit your doctor. If you have any questions, contact Katie Streff.
Stressless Challenge
The Stressless challenge registration is coming up on Nov. 21, so look for details in the upcoming weeks. The challenge will run from Dec. 5, 2016 through Jan. 1, 2017. You’ve got bills to pay, deadlines to meet – who wouldn’t feel stressed? Stress is a normal part of life, but if it’s not handled in a healthy way, it can negatively impact your physical, emotional and mental wellness. Participate in the upcoming Stressless Challenge and for 28 days, challenge yourself to find 5 minutes each day to complete a relaxing activity. Reducing even just a little bit of stress can help you feel healthier and happier – be sure to join the challenge!
Are you considering retirement in the next two to three years? If so, you may be interested in attending a “Planning for Retirement” session on Nov. 14 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in Conference Room 152 at the Johnston Regional Education Center.
IPERS and Social Security will be providing in-person guidance on what you need to know to make the best choices for your retirement years. No registration is necessary. Spouses are welcome to attend.
The session will be available via Zoom at https://heartlandaea.zoom.us/j/616896697 and will be recorded for later access.
If you have any questions, contact Juliette Houseman, Benefits Specialist, at ext. 14385.
Our online enrollment for the 2017 dependent care flex benefit plan will be open to eligible employees Nov. 1-30, 2016. If you are a full-time employee or a Certified Union employee working a 96-day contract, you are eligible to participate.
All
full-time employees will need to either enroll during this period or
waive participation through the enrollment process. For eligible
part-time employees, due to system configurations, it is assumed that
you automatically waive the benefit; however, if you wish to participate
and are a CU employee with a 96-day contract, contact Juliette Houseman to enroll via paper.
The
dependent care benefit allows you to pre-tax child, spouse or elder
care expenses that you incur in order to allow you (and your spouse, if
married) to work. If married, both spouses must be working to claim
dependent care expenses. A dependent is defined as:
- A dependent of the employee who is under 13 years of age
- A dependent or spouse who is physically or mentally disabled
The maximum amount your family may flex per calendar year is $5,000. All claims must be incurred by Dec. 31 and submitted for reimbursement within 60 days of the end of the plan year (March 1).
The deadline for enrolling in or waiving the dependent care plan is Nov. 30 at 4:00 p.m.
As
a reminder, all dependent care expenses for the 2016 plan year must be
incurred by Dec. 31, 2016 and must be submitted to Kabel Business
Services for reimbursement by March 1, 2017.
To Enroll
First,
go to your Employee Dashboard and go to the Employee Online Tab. On the
left hand side of the screen, click on the ENTER Your Dependent Care
Deduction.
Next…
-
Click Dependent Care Coverage Type.
- If
you want to waive Dependent Care and not have this benefit for the
upcoming year, enter 0 under the New Change Request column.
- If
you elect to enroll in the plan, your maximum deduction per pay period
can be $208.33, which equates to $4,999.92 ($5,000) total for the year.
- Click Save to complete your Flex Dependent Care. (In clicking Save you agree to the Terms and Conditions.)
NOTE:
IF YOU ENTER AN AMOUNT GREATER THAN 0 IN EMPLOYEE COST PER PERIOD, THEN
THAT AMOUNT WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM YOUR PAYCHECK PER PAY PERIOD.
If you have any questions, contact Juliette Houseman, Benefits Specialist, at or ext. 14315.
The agenda for the Nov. 8, 2016 Heartland AEA board of directors meeting is now available.
AEA 267 has purchased a new building that will be used for professional trainings for area educators as well as to consolidate its Cedar Falls-based staff and operations into one building. Read more here.
